Forgot until now that it is February 1st today - I have now been away for 5 weeks. Not really much to report this week. Work is very much like UK although the actual job I am on is different as it is auditing council's future plans. They are able to do this because their funding is not dependant on Central Government allocations - much more locally funded. However, they are very much like UK councils because they can't get things done in time and are providing information in bits and pieces. This means that you can't do the whole job in a co-ordinated way - you just do the bits you have. I have working in the local office every day this week and it will be the same again next week. After that I don't know - I don't yet know which council I am working on so don't know whether it will be close enough for day trips or whether it will mean staying away.
Yesterday I did a bit of research on buying a car. I have checked out hiring a car and to rent a car to cover all my weekends and the 10 days at the end will cost in excess of NZ$2,000 - about £800. I found a car to buy yesterday (Mitsubishi Galant) which will cost me NZ$3,000 to buy (all on road costs and a service included) and an expected buy back of about NZ$2,000 in 3 months so would actually cost me about NZ$1,000 and would be mine 24/7. There is, however, a third alternative as one of the girls at work has recently bought a new car and is selling her old one. I don't know what it is yet but I will be seeing it tomorrow and hopefully we can come to a 'hire' agreement so that I don't have the selling problem at the end. Either way I expect to have a car to use before the end of the week. Which is just as well as I have arranged to go to Rotorua next weekend. We have Friday off work but it will take about 3-4 hours to get there so I am planning to start off early on Friday morning and then return on Sunday night. Quite looking forward to it as there are lots of spas there and Maori culture attractions. My hotel is in the centre so I should be able to get around quite easily.
Yesterday afternoon I walked down to Victoria Esplanade which is by the river and about 20 minutes walk from the apartment. It had become quite sunny so made a nice afternoon out. Lots of things for the kids there - large paddling pool and lots of play equipment. Also a miniature railway which takes you on a ride all through the park.
I have been to the gym this morning - step class! Nearly killed me - it's been almost a year since I last did anything and even longer since I did step. I am planning to go to a yoga class on Tuesday evening too but continued attendance at either of both of these will depend on my work locations and what plans I have for the weekends. I am doing some research on what places I want to visit while I am here and when I might do them. I think it will be best to alternate longer trips with short local ones so that I can have some 'normal' weekends too when I will be able to do things like going to the gym. This morning has made me ache quite a lot so I need to do something regularly to ease that. Hopefully it will improve the fitness for walking too as my plans include a fair bit of that.
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